Maybe if it was easier for law-abiding citizens to get a CCW in this state the victim would have been able to defend himself. Or more likely the thugs would stay out of P-town if they knew more law-abiding citizens were carrying. Call your CA Assembly and CA Senate representative and tell them to vote no on AB1934.

Posted by M.
a resident of Downtown
on Jun 14, 2010 at 10:44 pmM. is a registered user.

Jerry

your comment exhibits a profound level of ignorance, racism, and xenophobia. I do hope that you take time to confront the feelings you have about outsiders, and people of differing skin tone in order to grow beyond such fear based reactions, and lead a happier more productive life.

Posted by Patricia
a resident of Vintage Hills Elementary School
on Jun 15, 2010 at 8:41 am

Seriously? You think there are no thugs living in Pleasanton? Or is it that you think black people don't live here (or shouldn't)? And you're going to spot thugs how? By their race? Or by using your spidey senses?

If I see someone carrying a gun, I'll call the police. Of course, Bob will assume they are just protecting themselves and exercising their constitutional rights . . . or is that only if they look like they belong here (in other words, if they are white)?

Yes, there are thugs living here in Pleasanton, but lots of them are just visiting...great opportunities for creepers in this community! And in case you haven't noticed, Pleasanton is FULL of other colors besides white!

Posted by radical
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jun 15, 2010 at 9:50 am

Call me xenophobic and racist etc but if a young black male approaches me on the street at 10 at night with a dark hooded sweatshirt -- I believe the temp out was still 80 degrees on Sunday night -- I am going to profile the guy as a threat to my personal safety

Posted by maja7
a resident of Vintage Hills Elementary School
on Jun 15, 2010 at 9:59 am

What is this guy doing walking alone at night in the first place? Thank goodness it wasn't a girl, it might've been a different story! Pleasanton is not the little sleepy town of years ago...believe me, I know, I grew up in this town. Be safe out there! Think smart!

Posted by Julia
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jun 15, 2010 at 10:08 am

This will be a short response in favor of Jerry, Bob and Jamie...these folks have good street sense...the other poster's are your typical dreamers and wishful thinkers. If you are out walking after the sun goes down and you see a situation coming towards you or even worse from behind you (black or white or yellow)...be aware, you may be in trouble. My motto is, always carry a big hard stick like a baseball bat and speak softly... I know, what is this world coming too...well folks, if you ever had the misfortune to be approached by one of these armed thugs, you would quickly know what I mean...STRIKE FIRST and ask question later.

And Cholo, if you are listening...I don't mean "strike' the way you use "strike"

Dear Patricia,
Please stop assuming things about people, "or is that only if they look like they belong here (in other words, if they are white)?"
You do not know me and I do not know you; so I will not make any assumptions about you. But what I will do is observe the situation at hand and make my decisions from that. I too would call the police if I saw someone walking around late at night carrying a firearm and I could care less what the color of their skin was. You see, 30 years ago as I was working a cash register in a grocery store and I came very close to being held up by two thugs with guns. But fortunately I had just had a large cash pickup from my register and as one thug asked for change for a twenty to get me to open the drawer the other thug was able to see I had no money in the till, they left and went down the street and proceeded to rob another Safeway store. How did I know they had guns you ask? Well my box boy, we called them box boys back then, saw the gun in one of their waistbands and smartly left the area only to come back later and inform all of us of the gun. And you know what, they were both WHITE!!!! Imagine that. I also had a co-worker friend of mine shot in the face by a WHITE armed robber. Oh, I almost forgot, my mother was held up by a WHITE guy with a gun, he actually poked her in the ribs with it. You see I grew up in a very diverse area of Southern California and I know firsthand that thugs come in all sizes, shapes and COLORS. So please do not try and casually paint me as a racist. In fact my wife is a Latina, my daughter-in-law is Asian and two of my BFF's are African Americans. So I get a little upset with your presumptions. I do not open-carry and I do not plan too. I also do not plan on applying for a CCW. But I still like the idea that I could if I wanted to if the situation presented itself. I still like the idea of being able to defend myself if I feel I need to. For some reason our politicians seem to think that passing gun laws that only affect law-abiding citizens are good. Funny thing is criminals do not obey these laws; why do think they are criminals in the first place. So these laws do no good. I pray that you and everyone who reads this never has to experience violence first hand. So now you know a little about me; go ahead and make more assumptions if you like.

please note::: a variety of people, bad people, have come to our town to "rob, steal, etc" because they think people here are rich.. they "are not" from pleasanton regardless of their race... they are just bad persons... and do not live here... the word on the street is to go to towns where people have money and steal, then go back home to their town. San Francisco has had a great number of these robberies happen recently in neighborhoods that are identified as having money.... do your homework, dont be a racist or an ignorant person... bad people are just bad people... thank you for reading.

Please people. I am African American and have lived in Pleasanton for over 40 yrs. Being safe in this day and age has to do with being smart. Thugs come in all colors and ages. I have been robbed at gunpoint while working and house broken into twice. All events where NOT commited by "black thugs from Oakland/Richmond area. ALL arrests were young kids from Pleasanton.Hmmm,, So you see that it happens all the time, not just to white people. Geez .Also, how would my UCSC astrophysics major son feel if he is waliking around Pleasanton, which he was. on Sunday dressed as stated. Yes, it does cool down here in the Valley at night. You cannot judge a people by the color of their skin, how they are dressed, etc. Get smart and dont put yourself in unsafe situations.

First of all I support the AZ law---good for them to enforce the federal law that has never been enforced again illustrating a perversion of equality! The idea that "illegal" get it "illegal" immigrants deserve equal rights as US citizens is in itself a problem...of course many allow the media rhetoric to form their opinions for them instead of thinking for themselves...Facts are the media doesn't report this law as a law to enforce laws against "illegal" immigrants but simply report the law as anti-immigrantion, influencing many to think AZ is discriminatory against immigrants when in fact they are not! This is what happens when people go with popular opinion rather than thinking for themselves.

As for the thug in the armed robbery, we have no facts on where he he came from. We do know however that there are many more thugs in Richmond and Oakland than their are in Pleasanton, that is a fact. The bigger issue here is that he got away and what are the police doing about this rather than speculating where this criminal is from.

Posted by My profile
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jun 16, 2010 at 11:04 am

OK, shall we say, based on factual numbers and percentages, betting on Vegas 100 to 1 odds, you make a intellectual call that the guy ISN'T a Pleasanton NEIGHBOR....would that meet you too generously liberal guidlines for approved safety profiling. I'd call it common sense.
And, again playing the odds, seeing a guy wearing, not holding, a gun is not a threat ! I'm pro-choice, so I believe in my right to choices,i.e. to smoke, carry a gun, drive a car of my choice, use my electricity any hour I want, etc. etc.
Profiling takes place by everybody (including hypocrites) on all kinds of issues, all day long. Police would be irresponsible IF they did not profile. Junky car might be UNinsured, or stolen, etc. How could there be a neighborhood search WITHOUT description of what you're looking for rape or robbery...young, old, male, or female. Just forget the concept of law enforcement, IF you stupidly ignore profiles ! Profile or sterotype OR OPINION !....it's OK ! Don't we still have the right of personal opinions ? or not?

Have you not seen so of our lovely teenagers walking around this city. They look like hoodlums. parents- do you know where your children are?

There is definiely a different look walking around Pleasanton- Turning into more of a melting pot- Which I don't mind. What I mind is that some of the elements are not too holesome looking. Downright scarey!

Not only that, but businesses downtown are seeing an increase of stealing.

We need to nip this in the bud before it gets worse. Look at what other communities do to help keep their towns safe. I've lived her 11 years and the last 6-8 months I have seen a definite change- not for the good. Police- maybe we can do a meeting to help the citizens of this town learn to protect and create a healthy melting pot in this city.

Posted by My PROFILE
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jun 16, 2010 at 3:55 pm

I remember 'neighborhood watch' years ago...It was the 'responsible' thing to do to be AWARE of you SURROUNDING, and REPORT anything SUSPICIOUS ! It wasn't call PROFILING. But NOW, oh no, that's PROFILING and that can't be allowed for crime ! Today, PROFILING is ONLY allowed when intentionally violating prop 209, and our institutions of higher learning in CALIF, openly violate Ca law to DENY entrance or financial aid to white males, and to illegally FAVOR any minority by RECRUITING them, providing assistance to, intentionally favoring, while denying equal consideration or treatment to white males. So maybe we shouldn't call that profiling either, since, in fact, it is open DISCRIMINATION ! ! !

Posted by Grey Alien
a resident of Stoneridge
on Jun 18, 2010 at 4:06 am

Michelle, you are inferring that melting pot=increased crime. As if to say that none of the crime is committed by whites.

I think that is an ignorant statement. While I agree with most posters in supporting my second amendment right, Arizona's enforcement of NATIONAL LAW, and also agree that these robberies are most likely being committed by outsiders. What I do not agree with is, that the influx of non whites to this community equals higher crime rates. Many people that move here do so because they want to live in a safe place and enjoy the same beautiful vistas and amenities that you do. Lots are working at Oracle or other nearby business, some work at the restaurants and other locales around here, but I mostly see good, hard working people.

You are making it seem that when the non whites moved in the criminals moved in and that simply is not the case. There are plenty of criminals of all races and creeds walking around here. Some are local teens following this over glamorized thug lifestyle, be they white or black.

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